Controlling means for pneumatically-operated devices.



EPATENTED FEB.18, 1908.

P. JAUELWEL MARY OPERATED-DEVICES.

APPLICATION; mam HEAR. a, was.

iii A. E? G OUNTEQLLING ME! NS FQH PNIBU ATTORNEY v UNITED sTATns PATENT onsron RAY P. JACKSON, OF WILKlINSBUEG, PENNSYLVANIQ, ASSIGNOR T vVESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING (JOMIEAIWY A CORITORIUFIODPOF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONTROLLING MEANfi FOR yNEUMATKUfi.LLY--OPER.ATED DEVIQEH.

' Specification oi Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed March 3- 190B- Esria'l life. 304,925

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, RAY P. JACKSON, a

I citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburmin the county of Allegheny and State of lennsylvsnia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in. Controlling Means for Pncumatically-Opereteri Dcvices, of which the following is a specifica tion.

My invention relates to nenmaticallyoperated devices and particu arly to trolley collectors that are adapted to be operated. pneumatically. I r

The object of my invention is to provide novel and improvedmean's for controlling the operation of devices of the character above specified.

A device to which my invention may be conveniently applied isa trolley collector that comprises means for-normally raising the trolley, pne'ul'natically-actuated -rncans for lowering the same and apneumnticallyi a view, partially in side elevation and par- ,the ot v "secured to shafts 6 and 7, respectiwly. For

tially in section, of'a trolley collector and controlling'mans therefor, and Fig. 2 a view in end elevation of a portion of the ap para-tus shown in. Fig; 1.

A sliding contact shoe 1 is carried at the inner extremities of arms 2 and 3 of a double panto raph frame, the inner extremities of her arms 4 and 5 of which rigidly the purpose .of efl'ecting rotation of the shaits, crank levers 8 are also rigidly mounted thereon, the upper ends 9 of which are connected, b' means of links 10v and piston rods ll, to b ocks-or heads 12 that are loosely fitted in cylinder 13. The blocks or heads 2 and the pantographirame are nori'nally niaintaii'icd 1n the osition shown by means of sprin i l and tie blocks or heads are adapted to he moved outwardly so as to collapse the pan- I tograph frame y means oi'flnid-pressure exerted between pistons 15, no mechanical connection being rovided between the pis tons 15 and the h ocks l2 order that the panto *eph items may extend and collapse finely with sudden. variations in the height of the trolley conductor and witholit afi'ecting in. any so etantia-l degree the positions ofthe pistons l5. Fluid-pressure i'oro erat the pistons is so lied to the cy inder through a. pipe 16. he movements of the lower arms 4 and 5 of the pantograph frame are caused to correspondby means of links l7 and i8, opposite ends oi wlrlchl are con nected respectively at 19 and 20 to the upper and lower extremities of the crank levers 8' that are mounted upon rlillerent shafts,

Since the pantograph frame is normall extended by the springs l4. and since it 15 collapsed hy means ol" pneumatiopressurc exerted hetw'cen the pistons 15, it is desirable to provide means whereby the frame may he maintained in collapsed condition when the trolley is not in nsepand for that reason s catch 21 is provided to efnpage at suitable device 22 that is attached to the lower side of the contect shoe 1. The catch .21 is norina y maintained in the position shown by means of a spiing and is operated to effect release of the device by means of fluidpressnre exerted in cylinder 24; behind a piston 25, fluid pressure being admitted to the cylinder from a pipe 26. The resiliency of the spring may he so adjustcd' wit reference to the resiliency-oi" the sprin s 14 that e greater pi-essure must he exerts he hind the piston to operation of the catch 21. than thst'w'hich it is necessary to eX-' ert between the pistons to cause the pantograph frame to collapse or to maintain it in a collapsed condition. The piston 25 also is prch-irahly fitted loosely in the cylinder 24- so to permit the fluid to escape slowly, or

w an exhaust port may he provided at a con "v'enient location, as st 27, the perts being arranged in this mannerfor n purpose which will he hereinafter more full T set forth. pipes l (3 and, 2e con'nmini ate with a supply pipe 28 inwhich avalve iii-l is locatcdwhei'ehy the supply of ihqid to the cylinders 13 end 24 The is governed. The :hitcrior of the pipe 16 is constricted at a suitable point 30 by any suitable means: here shown, e diaphragm 31 having a small aperture 32 is provided for the purpose.

If the pantograph frame is extended to substantially the position shown in. Fig. 1

and it is desired to remove the trolley from The air within the cylinder 24 thereupon escapes around the piston 25 or through the exhaust port 27 and, since the constricted portion of the pi e 16 delays the passage of fluid from the cyiinder 13 to'the cylinder 24, the spring 23 will overcome the pressure exerted upon the piston 25 and will cause the I catch 21 to engage the device 22 upon the lower side of the contact shoe 1. The fluid 'within the system continues to escape gradu ally but without eiiect upon the devices. In order that the devices may operate as indicated, it may be desirable to provide a difference in the degrees of resiliencies of the sprin s 14 and 23, "as before noted.

If it is desired to extend the pantograph frame the valve 29 will be opened for only a .very short period whereupon a pressure will be exerted behind the piston 25 sufficient to cause the catch 21 to release the device 22 whilev but a slight pressure will be exerted between the pistons 15 because the constricted portion of the pipe 16 delays the supply of fluid to the cylinder 13. Thus it is seen that both the o eration of the trolley and of the catch may e governed by means of a single valve.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to a trolley, it will be duit provided with a valve and having readily understood that it is equally applicable to other pneumatically-operated devices which operate in a similar manner and to devices, the structural details and arrangements of the parts of which may diil'er considerably from what has here been shown and described, the specific device to be controlled forming no part of my present invention.

1 claim as my invention:

' 1. The combination with a trollevthat is normally raised, fluid-pressurcactuated means for depressing the same, a catch for re taining the trolley in its depressed position ing the catch to release the trolley, of a pipe and fluid-pressure-actuated means for causmg the catch to release the trolley, of a pipe or conduit having branch passages whereby fluid-pressure maybe applied to the respeca normal position, fluid pressure-actuated means for-causmgthe deviceto' occupy an abnormal position, a catch for retaining the device in the abnormal position and fluid-pressure-actuated means for causing the catch to release the device, of a pipe or conduit having branch assages whereby fluidpressure may be app ied to the respective means, the passage to the former means being provided with a constricted portion.

4. The combination with a device having a normal position, fluidpressure-actuated means for causing the device to occupy an abnormal position, a catch for retaining the device in the abnormal position and fluidpressure-actuated means for causing the catch to release the device, of a pipe or conduit having branch passages whereby fluidpressure may be applied to the respective means, the passage to the former means be ing provided with a constricted portion, and means for governing the supply of fluid that is located in the unbranched portion of the pipe or conduit.

5. The combination with a a normal position, fluid-pressure-actuated means for causingthe device to occupy an abnormal position, a catch for retaining the device in the abnormal position, and fluidpressure-actuated means for causing the catch to release the device, oi a pipe or con branch passages whereby fluid-pressure may be applied to the respective means, the branch passage to the former means being provided with a pressure-retarding or reducing means.

6. The combination with a device having a normal position, fluid-pressure-actuatcd means for causing the device to occupy an abnormal position, a catch, for retaining the device having 1 device in the abnormal position, and iluidand fiuid-pressure-actuated means for causpressure-actuated means for causing the catch to releasethc device, of a pipe or conduit having branch passages whereby fluidpressure may be applied to the respective or conduit having branch passages whereby bein provided with a constricted portion.

2. lhc combination with a trolley that I is normally raised, iluid prcssuro-actuatcd means for depressing the same, a catch lor rcmeans,- the passage to the former means he iluid-pressurc may be applied to the rcspccing provided with a constricted portion, and

means i' or permitting the escape of fluid from 7. The combination with a device adapted to occupy two dlil'ercnt positions, fluid-pressure-actuated means for moving the device taining the trolley in its depressed position i to. oneof its positions and a catch for holding ,conduit having branch )assages whereby it in that position, of fluid-pressure-actuated I In testimony whereof, I have hereunto means for controlling the catch and apipe or airy, 1906.

fluid-pressure may be app ied to the respective means, the branch passage leading to one Witnesses: of said means being provided with a pres- R. B. INGRAM, sure-retarding or reducing means. BIRNEY Hnms subscribed my name this 24th day of Febru RAY P. JACKSON. j 

